The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

The Talking Machine World Vol. 4. No. 7. PHOTOGRAPHY WITHOUT CAMERA. Prof. Lippmann Discovers Method of Direct Picture-Taking on the Film — Studied Eye of a Fly — Gets Perspective and Relief Without Stereoscopic Process — Film Contains Multitude of Facets. Professor Lippmann, of the Sorbonne, according to dispatches from Paris, has just made a discovery which will revolutionize the art of photography. When his discovery has been perfected in a few of its details, cameras may be done away with, and the photograph will give the same effect of relief and perspective which can be secured now only by use of the stereoscope. For the sake of the uninitiated it may be mentioned that it was Professor Lippmann who iirst discoverd color photography. His latest discovery is no less extraordinary. "The constitution of a photographic apparatus," said the professor, discussing his discovery, "is analogous in many respects to that of the human eye. As a result, if we wish to obtain perspective and relief we are forced to use the stereoscope. I was long convinced, however, that if I could produce the image as it appears on the eye of a fly I should have my stereoscopic effect direct. The eye of this class of insect, as you know, is composed of a large number of minute facets. Each of these facets reproduces a corner of the object or landscape presented to it. The ensemble of the facets gives the complete picture. I therefore set to work to find some preparation which would give a similar result. "After a good deal of research, I evolved a collodion film, upon which I placed a thin layer of sensitive gelatine finely honeycombed. This honeycombing process created a multitude of globules — to be exact, twenty-five to each square millimeter. In the layer of collodion each of these globules forms two hemispheres. That which is in front, toward the exterior, is of much smaller radius than that which is behind, and which offers a larger curve. The first hemisphere plays the role of the objective; the second retains the image. Each globule reproduces the totality of the picture, but permits the eye to distinguish only that point coming within the radius of vision. In virtue of its power of accommodating itself to circumstances, the eye groups all the visible points together, and the sum total makes the complete picture. Thus, the eye, while seeing a single image, sees it under all its aspects. Move the photograph to left or to right, and the relief and perspective change, because the eye encounters a different set of points." "And what kind of a camera is necessary?" was asked. "I was expecting that question," said the professor with a smile. "No camera is needed. "We put the film, or sensitive plate, in an ordinary plate holder, and place it in front of the object or landscape which we wish to photograph. The slide is opened and shut and the operation is finished. My greatest regret is that we are unable to reproduce this new photography in printing. It is no good for photogravure. For pictures reproduced in the newspapers we shall still have to use the stereoscope." ROOSEVELT HEARD CHEERING Over Combination of Telephone and Phonograph in Convention Hall. It is said that President Roosevelt himself was an actual listener to the demonstrations of en thusiasm which greeted his name in the convention of the Republican party held recently in Chicago and which selected Mr. Taft as its candidate for President. Hanging ten feet above the heads of the dele New York, July 15, 1908. gates and immediately in front of the platform were four black discs, looped by wires and joined by a small central cable leading from the hall. Many wondered at these discs, believing them to be a part of the system for electrical display. They were a combination of telephone and phonograph, taking up the proceedings as they occurred and transmitting each speech and each burst of applause. According to the reports one of the wires was cut into the White House and the President in person, with the receiver to his ear, caught the words of Lodge as he electrified the vast assemblage and the echoing shouts which followed. THEY'D USE A TALKING MACHINE. How the Kansas City School Board Would Save Money for Drills. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Kansas City, Mo., June 30, 1908. Pianist or graphophone? That's one of the questions the school board debated at its last meeting, and it couldn't come to a decision. The question was whether Miss Grace Slocomb, who plays the piano for the calisthenic drills at the Manual Training High School, should be continued oh the payroll at a salary of $300 a year. "Why should we continue to pay a salary like this, when we can get a fine, large talking machine to do the work for $75 down?" suggested Hale H. Cook, a member of the board. "It's extravagance, wasteful extravagance." "I agree with Mr. Cook " said E. D. Phillips, principal of the Manual Training High School. "A graphophone would do just as well." The board discussed the relative merits of pianist and graphophone and agreed to leave the final settlement of the troublesome question until the next meeting. Meanwhile, a motion was adopted to reconsider the appointment of Miss Slocomb, which was confirmed by the board a week ago. A VISITOR FROM BRAZIL. A Chat With Gustavo Figner, the Enterprising Talking Machine Man of Sao Paulo, Brazil — Business Active in That Country. Coming into New York from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, S. A., on the "Deutschland," June 18, Gustavo Figner, of Figner Irmaus, Sao Paulo, Brazil, sailed away again on the 25th following, making a very brief stay in this country. The real reason of Sefior Figner's short call was that he had been recently married, was practically on a wedding trip and was anxious to rejoin his wife in Paris, France, who declined to come to the United States with her husband. Sefior Figner, when seen by The World, said he was delighted to get away from Brazil for a while, not that he disliked the country. On the contrary, it was a beautiful place to live in and one of the finest spots on the globe to make money. Among other things, he said: "I am the agent in Brazil for the Columbia Phonograph Co., general; also for the Fonotipia Co., of Italy, and the Gramophone Co., of London, England. Also sell the full lines of the Victor Talking Machine Co., of Camden, N. J., though not their agents. Besides I do what you here would call a general mail order business. I also publish a couple of newspapers. You see the cost of advertising in Brazil is so great one is almost compelled to go into the publishing business yourself, in order to get your goods properly before the public. The Brazilian newspapers have very small circulations, therefore no particular benefit is derived when they are used. I expend at least $30,000 yearly in advertising. "One great trouble in Brazil is the scarcity of Price Ten Cents competent assistance. Help is plentiful enough, but not the right kind. This results in the proprietors of any business being forced to look after most of the details, and this is wearing. I have been in business now nine years, and am completely tired out, and therefore I am glad to get away for a while. This drawback no one can get away from. When I rejoin my wife in Europe we shall stay there for some time. I am from Bohemia, and this will be the first time 1 have been back in 15 years. "The talking machine business in Brazil is growing rapidly. Records sell differently in different places. In Sao Paulo nine-tenths of the population are Italians, and therefore operatic selections are in demand. In Rio the Portuguese are the predominating people and their sales are for other records, generally instrumental and native and popular airs. The Columbia Co. are making a special line of records that will he shipped at once. Before I went into business for myself I bought goods outright and sold them throughout Brazil, then handling a great many Edison machines and records." Sefior Figner uses excellent English, speaking briskly and employing terse, expressive terms. He has all the appearance of an aggressive, successful man who still retains an interest in human nature and the enjoyments of life. TIME TO ACT IS NOW. Don't Postpone 'Till To-morrow What You Can do To-day Pays in Business. The man on the fence is always unhappy. Get off quickly and form the habit of facing situations with prompt decisions. That's the only way to achieve things for life, and activity is given to us for a brief period in which much must be crowded and every minute counts. If you vacillate, somebody else will make up your mind for you, and not always to your advantage. Neither will you invariably decide correctly, but with increasing experience you'll be right much oftener than wrong and the habit of leadership and command will stamp you an able man. The importance of deciding promptly was taught in a small way to a young man selling goods to a dealer who hesitated between the best and next grade of a line submitted. Said the undecided dealer, "Which do you advise?" To which the conscientious young salesman responded, "You must know best; they are both good value and either will serve your requirement." "Well," said the dealer, "I'll wait and think it over a few days. Come in again next week." And when the salesman came next week, as appointed, behold a competitor's line was prominently displayed and his line shut out. The next time he was asked for an opinion on his line he had it ready, and never again lost an order for lack of a decision. VENEZUELA'S TAX ON TALKING MACHINE. The new Venezuelan tariff, which is based on the metrical system, provides that talking machines be assessed .241c. per kilogram, accessories and records for same also at that rate, which likewise applies to musical instruments and boxes not otherwise mentioned under the headings of pianos, player pianos, organs and music. CHANNING WILLIAMS' SUCCESS. Channing Williams, who opened a talking machine store in New Haven, Conn., last August, has already succeeded in building up a substantial trade, and by the time of his anniversary will have a most cheerful report to make. Mr. Williams handles Edison and Columbia machines and records, as well as framed pictures and post cards.